Big jump in tourists caps NPDC’s 2017 success stories

Friday, 12 January 2018

A big boost in tourism to the region, a near sell-out crowd for Yusef/Cat Stevens concert, creating a community space in Marfell Park and having a budget surplus were just some of the many success stories for New Plymouth District Council (NPDC) last year.

The Lonely Planet had named Taranaki as one of the top two regions in the world to visit in 2017 and this helped to bring thousands of extra international travellers to the province.

Figures from Stats NZ for the year ending October 2017 show a massive 25.3 per cent rise in international guest nights in Taranaki. Overall guest nights in the region were up 4.5 per cent as well.

Lonely Planet had highlighted the NPDC-run Len Lye Centre, Puke Ariki and the TSB Festival of Lights as key attractions worth seeing as well as the Pouakai Crossing and Surf Highway 45.

“It’s fantastic to see so many international and national visitors discovering what we all know so well – that our region is very special,” said NPDC Chief Operating Officer Kelvin Wright.

NPDC’s Venture Taranaki is building on the momentum created by Lonely Planet with its My Local Secret campaign to bring in more international and Kiwi visitors.

Notable success stories for the District also included the near sell-out of the TSB Bowl of Brooklands by Yusef/Cat Stevens in December. About 16,000 packed out the venue for an unforgettable summer’s night.

Other NPDC highlights from last year included:

Marfell Park’s regeneration started with an open space featuring play equipment, a half sized basketball court and a flying fox.

A budget surplus of $13.6 million for the 2016/17 financial year.

NPDC’s drive towards Zero Waste 2050 came top in its Top 10 Focus Areas consultation.

NPDC’s See it in the City team helping to keep New Plymouth’s CBD thriving with events such as the taste of the NZ Tattoo & Art Festival on Devon Street East.

The new QuickCheck system was installed in libraries to make borrowing books and other items even easier.